Dealing with Cardiac Arrest

A sudden cardiac arrest can occur anywhere. When you are waiting for the lift to arrive, having dinner with loved ones or jogging at your park hence the need to be prepared can never be stressed enough. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart beat stops abruptly and without any warning signs resulting in no blood being pumped into the rest of the body leaving the patient in a fatal condition.

An emergency shock using a machine called a Heartstart Onsite Defibrillator is delivered to the heart to restore its regular rhythm. Sudden cardiac arrest is often wrongly equated with a heart attack but the survival rate of a sudden cardiac arrest is almost less than 1%. What kills suddenly is not artery block but the ventricular fibrillation or arrhythmia which is the most common and instant killer.

Defibrillator pads are a useful tool for the management of life-threatening arrhythmias. An arrhythmia is a problem with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat when the heart can beat too fast or too slow or with an irregular rhythm. Common symptoms of an arrhythmia could include chest pain, fainting, palpitations, light headed-ness, dizziness, paleness, shortness of breath and sweating. To counter arrhythmia electrical shock therapy is administered.

Two self-adhesive external pads are attached to the patient before the delivery of current for defibrillation is delivered. It does away with the need for removal of adhesive surgical drapes and the cumbersome use of external defibrillator paddles. Defibrillator pads are constructed of a thin flexible conductor placed between a protective polymer backing and a hydro-gel adhesive. These pads withstand the rigors of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and harsh conditions.

Soft, flexible and oval-shaped, these pads conform to body contours for larger surface contact and adhesion. These electrode pads can serve various important functions such as ECG monitoring, external pacing as also defibrillation. Ever since they were invented defibrillators have traditionally been used on adults but unfortunately children have also succumbed to cardiac arrests giving rise to these special defibrillators.
Adult SMART Pads are appropriate for cardiac arrest victims 8 years and older, or weighing above 55 pounds or more. These special defibrillator pads can safely be used on kids under eight years and has been designed keeping in mind safety of treatment for infants and children. The Adult Smart Pads Catridge contains 2 adhesive electrode pads that are placed on the patient’s bare skin. Pads have a two year shelf life and should be replaced prior to their expiration. As with all other forms of medical aid it is always better to have a certified medical professional demonstrate use and recommend the right product before purchase.

You may also want to read thi article piece on reusable bed pads on trusted.md.